Hi, lily2. I guess it's really more "central" than "southern" shore, but I'm just about seven minutes inland from the Monmouth County beaches. I think this is a great area for gardening!

Diane

Hi Lily:

I garden on LBI on the weekends. Where are you located?

Here's a sampling of what a garden can look like but 2 minutes from the beach (1.1miles) here in Monmouth County (Oakhurst)

http://www.TK154.photosite.com

Hi lili. I'm just starting to garden along the coast about 200 yards from the beach. So far so good. I have more lawn problems the gardening problems. What is it you need to know.

Here, about a mile from the beach on the Wall/Belmar border, I've got a "tropical" themed backyard. Windmill palm in the ground over 3 years, Basjoo banana in its second summer and now over 8 feet tall. Various palms, tropicals, and citrus in pots, above and below ground. And a flowering plumeria potted above my small koi pond. These along with the usual suspects...zebra grass, hardy hibiscus, prickly pear cactus, and a large fig. I think you'll find that we are near enough to a growing zone that will allow for many more plants than you might think. And tomatoes around here will thrive naturally. Mine have been planted since April and are already yielding fruit